Metallica

Metallica could be the Godfathers of thrash metal, even the Kings of Rock if Run DMC hadnt already taken that title.  They have been one of the biggest, most influential hard rock, heavy metal; thrash metal bands of all time.  They started out in small clubs bringing the new east-coast thrash metal sound to the masses.  

It was the fastest, loudest music around and it made the young fans in the audience ears bleed.  They banged their collective heads against the stage in unison and ushered in a new wave of heavy metal.  While bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden were heavy and fast, they were refined and the intricate guitar and bass mixed with screaming, operatic vocals were nothing like what Metallica was bringing to the game.  

While these other bands were very stylistic and fast, they were melodic and even catchy; Metallica was about one thing and one thing only-speed.  Speed metal that thumped in your chest and made you move involuntarily to the beat, pumping your fist in the air and banging your long greasy hair back and forth.  It was new and it was underground, and it was good.  With the debut album, appropriately titled Kill em All, they took a raw sound and managed to tame it long enough to lay down on vinyl.  

It was different from anything else around and it laid the foundation for a career that spans three decades.  Their follow up album Ride the Lightning was even better with a more focused and refined sound, building on the haunting lyrics and vicious guitars that showed glimpses on the first album.  The songs were cleaner and the lyrics were less juvenile.  Master of Puppets was next and is regarded by most fans as the bands crowning achievement, a modern classic that has withstood the test of time.  To many fans, it is considered their best effort and many critics agree.  

The last album of the eighties and the last of their first four albums was And Justice for All.  The first four albums are widely considered by fans as the classic albums, with much distaste for the music to follow, but to a wider audience and to critics, they were just hitting their stride.  While the first albums are considered their best by long time fans, their nest album, the much maligned Black album, was their breakout album and solidified them in rock and roll history.